United States: a riposte against closing the Strait of Hormuz

7 years ago

The United States is strengthening its military presence in the Persian Gulf to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz in case of freezing of Iranian oil exports to Europe, reported the Wall Street Journal on Friday.

“If our opponents multiply the signs of their power, we wonder what we should do to checkmate them. They must know that we take the necessary measures to this effect,” the newspaper , citing a U.S. military requested anonymity.

The Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon notified Congress of its intention to deploy systems to detect and neutralize mines in the region, to expand its operations and to provide recognition of its warships weapons that could destroy the Iranian gunboats.

The situation in the Persian Gulf region has worsened after the Tehran declaration that it could block the Strait of Hormuz, a major route of transportation of oil and gas from the Gulf. In late December, Iranian naval forces conducted a major exercise in the Strait, in which they have tested long-range missiles.